Photos: ’09 Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame

Steamboat, Bockwinkel among the 2009 Class of the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in WaterlooAdam Martin, Wrestleview.com

Pro wrestling legends Ricky Steamboat and Nick Bockwinkel joined an elite class on July 11 as they were officially inducted into the 2009 Class of the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in Waterloo, Iowa on Saturday morning.

Ricky Steamboat, who was not present due to obligations as an agent/producer for WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment), was honored by Kent Sesker, Marketing Director for the wrestling museum as a crowd of wrestling legends looked on in a room filled with a small wrestling ring.

Former AWA World Heavyweight Champion Nick Bockwinkel shared his honor and privilege of being put into an elite class in the city that was the birth place for the NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) – the top territorial wrestling company for many decades.

“To be honored by your peers and fans is truly an accomplishment that is hard to put into words,” Bockwinkel said as he took the podium. “I can only say that I hope I entertained you along the way and it is an honor to have my name placed on this wall.”

Mike Mooneyham, a pro wrestling columnist for “The Post & Courier” since 1979, was also honored being presented the “Jim Melby Jounalist of the Year” award.

“I’ve always been a big fan of the movie ‘Field of Dreams’ and have always wanted to visit Iowa after seeing it,” Mooneyham added. “Little did I know I would get that chance and then be given the honor to be inducted into the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame. Iowa truly is a special place and this museum is one that all pro wrestling fans should visit once in their lifetime.”

Adam Martin is the Editor in Chief of www.wrestleview.com residing in Cedar Rapids, IA.